
170 J. STANLEY GARDINER. 
Telinfaro. No islands. Velu 8 fathoms deep, much larger in every direction, the sand-flat 
and reef to west being about 400 yards broad. Opening into faro north-east, 1 mile broad with 
depths of 3 to 5 fathoms with in places 7 to 8 fathoms. 
Wa-faro (fig. 29). Cooper Island of rock to the west, and Wa of sand to the east, the 
latter the north half of the island charted. Velu 8 fathoms deep, very well-defined, occupying 
the centre of the faro. 
Kudafaro, Sand bank on basis of coral rock east-north-east, 60 by 25 yards. Very small 
velu with 2 fathoms. 
Mafare. Sand island to south covered with trees, quite inside the reef, the inner part of 
the island represented. Velu twice the size shown and 6 fathoms deep. 
Fugirifaro. Two small sand banks on west side. Velu somewhat enlarged, 4 to 5 fathoms 
in depth. 
Ekurufaro, Sand bank to north-east. Velu 5} fathoms, slightly larger than represented. 
Digu-faro. No land. Velu 6 to 7 fathoms, extending up to the north end. Reef otherwise 
no change, south and east less than 100 yards broad. 
Madunifaro. Sand bank to south and rocks round west side. Velu considerably larger north 
and west, 7 fathoms deep. Distinct point to the faro running out to the south, reef narrow to 
the east. 
From the above comparison it will be seen that Dina-faro and Wa-faro have now 
definite velu, while none at all are charted (Plate XI.). Telin-faro and Bodu-faro show 
that there is a tendency for the different velu to come into communication freely with 
the general lagoon, and in reference to this point it is important to notice that they are 
situated against the most enclosed area of the western side. They may, accordingly, be 
fairly taken as showing the destruction of the reef in enclosed situations. The change in 
Bodu-faro is a most remarkable one and admits of no possible doubt, as there are in the 
chart (Plate XI.) on the east side soundings of 18, 15, and 18 fathoms against a reef 
and sand-flat half a mile broad, where none such now exists. The precipitous slope off 
these reefs towards the general basin was repeatedly noticed in our cruise, and shows that 
they tend to wash away on this side. The velu or lagoons have all markedly increased 
in size at the expense of the sand-flats. The latter are usually bare with less than 
1 fathom of water, and at the sides of the velu fall very rapidly to their depths. There 
may be a few overhanging corals at the edge of any velu, but they are all in the centre 
bare and covered with sand. There is an ample change of water in them owing to the 
breakers, which pour over the reefs, and the enlargement of their velu everywhere I can 
only consider as being due to this cause, acting by means of solution. That this should 
produce the remarkable increase in depth, about which there can be no question, shows 
the great effect of the solution and currents, and clearly demonstrates how—starting from 
a single coral mass, which has grown up to the surface—by lateral extensions a definite 
atoll may be formed. 
I do not wish to claim that North Mahlos alone will serve to demonstrate and much 
less that it will prove all the different points that I have endeavoured to bring out in 
this chapter, but I deemed it better to discuss as far as possible one bank alone, and to 
place in an Appendix an account of the conditions and changes found in other banks. 
I failed to find any evidence, indeed any indications whatever of any of the reefs of 
North Mahlos having at any time been joined together. There is no sign of a previous 
